A former Alberta NDP cabinet minister is calling for an out-of-province investigation into the Lethbridge Police Service accusing them of “intimidation for political purposes.”.Former Environment Minister Shannon Phillips made the call Monday after media reports that two police officers in Lethbridge had been demoted for following and photographing her before distributing the pictures on Facebook..“The Lethbridge Police Service illegally put me under surveillance and harassed me in public,” said the Lethbridge West MLA in a press conference..“There’s no question I’m worried about my safety…it’s terrifying..“Using police power to stalk and intimidate a minister is the stuff of a police state.”.Phillips was referring to a Good Friday 2017 meeting she had with stakeholders involved in the Castle Mountain wilderness area..As Environment Minister, Phillips made a controversial decision to limit access to the area, including the use of quads..CHAT News reported Sgt. Jason Carrier and Const. Keon Woronuk both had an interest in quadding..Carrier was on-duty but on a meal break with two other officers when Phillips entered the Chef Stella Diner to meet informally with stakeholders, CHAT reported from the decision paper issued July 9 after an LPS internal investigation.. POLL: Many Albertans say they will ignore Christmas COVID lockdown .The decision said Carrier texted the acting sergeant Woronuk that Phillips was at the restaurant and sent him a photo. Woronuk arrived at the diner a short time later..As the two officers left the diner Woronuk said to Carrier that he, “would hate to see Phillips drive away from the restaurant and there was a reason to stop her.”.Woronuk also set up surveillance and subsequently following one of the stakeholders while running a police information check on them..Woronuk found a nearby position of surveillance of the diner and Carrier took position at nearby parkade with a view of the diner, according to agreed facts entered at the hearing. Phillips eventually left the diner on foot..“The intent of Const. (Keon) Woronuk to target an attendee of Minister Phillips’ meeting is truly troubling,” stated the hearing’s presiding officer Paul Manuel, a former Calgary Police Service inspector..“I cannot see any purpose for such an action.”.Woronuk later posted photos of the meeting on a Facebook page under the name “Mike Corps” which included identifying the stakeholders and, “was accompanied by a long caption criticizing Minister Phillips and her NDP government,” CHAT reported..Phillips and NDP justice critic Kathleen Ganley called on Alberta Justice Minister Doug Schweitzer to order an independent, out of province investigation. Phillips said the investigation is needed to see if the corruption is “more broad” within the LPS..“Tonight I was informed of two Lethbridge police officers who had been conducting an unauthorized surveillance of MLA Shannon Phillips in 2017. I share in the outrage being expressed by many following this news.,” said Schweitzer, in a statement..“To say it is completely unacceptable that members of the police would conduct unauthorized surveillance of any Albertan – in particular an elected official – is an understatement. Law enforcement is entrusted with a great deal of power, so it is particularly egregious when that power is abused. .“I was not previously aware of this incident nor was the government involved in the professional standards investigation which resulted in the temporary demotion of the two officers involved. .“The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has been ordered to conduct a comprehensive review of the professional standards investigation to determine if there are grounds for a criminal investigation. .“I have instructed my department to arrange for an out-of-province prosecutor should ASIRT require legal advice in conducting its investigation, including the determination of laying charges.”.Woronuk, a 19-year veteran, admitted to five charges under the Police Service Regulation including two counts of corrupt practice and a single count each of deceit, discreditable conduct and insubordination..He was demoted from senior constable to first-class constable for two years..Carrier, a 23-year veteran, admitted to discreditable conduct and neglect of duty and was demoted to senior constable for one year..Phillips said she was met with a torrent of online abuse “from the far-right” after the Castle decision, something she said would dissuade other women thinking of running for politics..And she took issue with demotions being the outcome..“That they can still drive by my house is not an acceptable penalty,” she said..“I don’t feel safe…these people are still driving around in cruisers, who made a plan to follow me for political purposes..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com.Twitter.com/nobby7694
